Italy is a hugely popular holiday destination, with nearly 60 million tourists travelling within its borders each year. In terms of safety, Italy is a mostly safe place to travel, with tourist infrastructure and essential services readily available if anything goes wrong. There are, however, a few things to keep an eye out for when visiting.

Safety in public places

The main thing to be aware of in Italy is petty theft. These small-scale crimes, including pickpocketing and bag snatching, mainly occur in crowded tourist hotspots in Rome, Florence and Venice. Be vigilant about your belongings and leave expensive watches or jewellery at home.

If you happen to travel on the Circumvesuviana train network between Naples and Sorrento, be vigilant. Beggars and pickpockets regularly frequent this route, and often the trains are standing room only, making it easy for petty theft to occur.

There are also quite a few scams that tourists may find themselves caught in. Some locals in high-touristed areas sell counterfeit leather goods and ‘designer’ products, so be wary of what you are buying – if you are found purchasing counterfeit items, you could be fined thousands of euros!

Beggars are a widespread problem throughout Italy, notably older Romani women who may be carrying young children. In the vast majority of cases, they are part of a large syndicated network of beggars and are being exploited – hardly any money is going to the beggars themselves. Babies are often sedated to prey on tourists’ guilt, and if you do begin to interact and don't give money, beggars may become aggressive. If you wish to give to charitable causes in Italy, do your research before you arrive and only donate to reputable organisations.

Many travellers who haven’t been to Italy think the Mafia is a huge problem in the region. This is largely incorrect – although there is Mafia activity in Naples and Sicily, in particular, it almost never involves travellers.

Natural disasters in Italy are irregular but do occur and can be dangerous. There are three main active volcanoes around the country – Mt Etna in Sicily, Mt Stromboli on the island of Stromboli, and Mt Vesuvius near Naples – and if eruptions occur, they can disrupt travel plans. Venice is prone to flooding, especially in early winter (November-December), when rainfall is high and the lagoon swells at high tide. Low-lying areas in Venice, such as Piazza San Marco, often flood at high tide, so follow local warnings when travelling during this time.

Safety as a solo or female traveller

Normal safety precautions exist for travellers who are visiting Italy by themselves. When walking at night, keep to well-lit, high-traffic areas. Be wary of non-legitimate taxis and take normal safety precautions if using ridesharing services in Rome and Milan.

Women may attract unwanted attention and catcalling from local men, especially at night in Bologna, Florence and Milan, yelling out ‘ciao bella’ ('hello beautiful') to receive a response. Ignoring the situation and walking away will almost always stop the catcalling.

Read more about solo travel with Intrepid

Tips for staying safe in Italy

  • Don’t advertise wealth with excessive jewellery when in public
  • Be aware in busy markets, piazzas and on public transport
  • Watch your belongings in busy tourist areas
  • Beware of beggars

Is Italy LGBTQIA+ friendly?

Is water safe to drink in Italy?

Find out more about current travel alerts

Click here to return to Italy FAQs

Our tours in Italy

8 Days From 3275

Travel to Italy on a tour from Rome to Amalfi and explore the best of the region....

14 Days From 5460

Immerse yourself in classic culture, history and incredible sights on this Best of...

8 Days From 2889

See Italy in the cooler months, hitting Rome, Florence, Pisa and Bologna before...

8 Days From 2223

See the best of Italy – Venice, La Spezia, Cinque Terre, Florence and Rome – in eight...

10 Days From 8495

Discover Sicily in the heart of the Mediterranean on this 10-day Premium journey that...

Tailor-Made trips

Take four or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary

10 Days From 4770

Travel to Italy on a journey from the canals of Venice to the cobblestone streets of...

8 Days From 3110

Soak up the spectacular scenery of Italy’s Amalfi Coast on this tour through Naples,...

8 Days From 4300

Explore the Dolomites on an 8-day small group hiking tour which explores multiple lakes...

9 Days From 6970

Explore the beautiful cities, mountains and waterfalls of Slovenia and Croatia on a...

8 Days From 4815

Spend eight unforgettable days hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc, setting off on a circuit...

8 Days From 4035

From Venice to Rome, you’ll indulge in the best things to eat in Italy, with stops in...

10 Days From 2820

Visit Venice, Verona, Parma, Cinque Terre, Pisa, Florence and Rome with like-minded 18...

8 Days From 3275

Encounter the picturesque hills and olive groves of Tuscany on this cycling adventure...

8 Days From 3640

Take a trip to southern Italy and explore the best of Sicily including Catania, Mount...

8 Days From 3021

Take an active adventure to experience the gorgeous Cinque Terre area in Italy in the...

10 Days From 3685

Take a tour through Italy’s less-visited southern region, absorbing the beauty of...

15 Days From 6370

Visit Spain, France and Italy on this European adventure. Discover gothic architecture...

8 Days From 6805

Discover the culture, history and beauty of Italy’s Puglia region on an 8-day Premium...

15 Days From 3700

Venture from Berlin to Venice, stopping through some of eastern Europe’s most iconic...

8 Days From 2880

Set sail across the clear blue waters of Sardinia and Corsica, exploring the Maddalena...

15 Days From 2727

Discover Central Europe from Germany to Italy, covering Berlin, Krakow, Prague, Cesky...

5 Days From 1880

Explore the Amalfi Coast on board a real yacht on this idyllic small group adventure in...

8 Days From 1905

See iconic European sites in gorgeous cities like Budapest, Vienna, Salzburg, Bled and...

4 Days From 1438

Sail Italy’s Amalfi Coast from the colourful village of Procida, through ancient worlds...

7 Days From 3295

Sail Italy’s Amalfi Coast, exploring the Bay of Naples, Capri, Amalfi and Procida...

9 Days From 4005

Discover the secrets of Calabria 9-day adventure visiting Civita, Pollino National Park...

8 Days From 3545

From the ruins of Rome, to the ancient city of Pompeii and the seaside delights of...

10 Days From 2410

Travel from Dubrovnik and Split in Croatia to Venice in Italy, stopping at Plitvice...

8 Days From 7192

See the majesty and beauty of Italy’s Renaissance gems on an eight-day Premium tour...

15 Days From 13935

Spend 15 days exploring Italy on this Premium Trip that visits icons like Rome, Venice,...

16 Days From 12055

Discover the wonders of Slovenia and Croatia on a 16-day Premium adventure down the...

22 Days From 5810

Experience the best of eastern Europe on a journey from Berlin to Rome, stopping in...

23 Days From 10585

Travel to Pompeii, Amalfi, the Aeolian Islands, Taormina and Mt Etna on a tour from...

17 Days From 6765

Kick off this Roman holiday in Rome, the heart of Italy. Live history as you explore...

8 Days From 3955

Visit Venice, Cinque Terre, Pisa and Rome on an exciting family holiday through...

36 Days From 11220

Visit Spain, France, Germany, the Czech Republic and Italy plus a host of secrets in...

15 Days From 7275

From the canals of Venice to the ruins of Rome, and beyond wandering the ancient city...

21 Days From 8243
16 Days From 7410

Discover the secrets of Calabria and the highlights of Sicily on this 16-day adventure...

20 Days From 4225

Experience Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, Montenegro, Serbia and...

8 Days From 3095

Visit Italy and tour through the countryside of Umbria. Travel to Italy's sacred sites...

29 Days From 9090

Tour through some of Europe’s most famous cities, including Barcelona, Prague, Budapest...

17 Days From 15840

Spend 17 days exploring all of Italy from Palermo to Mount Etna, to Rome and Venice...

24 Days From 22825

Spend 24 days exploring Italy in depth from Sicily to Puglia and on to Tuscany - you'll...

16 Days From 13825

Explore the beautiful cities, mountains and waterfalls of Italy, Slovenia and Croatia...

23 Days From 19500

Explore the beautiful cities, mountains and waterfalls of Italy, Slovenia and Croatia...

17 Days From 15500

Explore the best of Sicily and southern Italy - including Palermo, Mount Etna, Pompeii...

26 Days From 6490

Set out from Hungary on a European adventure and discover the cultures and cuisines of...

17 Days From 4610

Enjoy a delicious-tasting platter of Europe on a trip that takes you from Dubrovnik to...

15 Days From 6505
24 Days From 5335

Explore all the best Europe has to offer with this adventure through Germany, Austria,...